Story by Corinne Kocher
Photos by Bailey Garrot
Shared Plates
On a warm Tuesday afternoon, the old wooden front door of the Daily Groceries Co-op squeaks open every few minutes. Community members stop by in downtown Athens, picking up dinner supplies, late-lunch sandwiches, and sweets.
Christy D., a long time co-op customer, juggles a basket filled with produce in one hand while reading the label for the "ice cream" her 9-year-old son has picked out. She's grateful the co-op offers alternative options for her lactose-intolerant son. "I come here because I love local food," says Christy, "but also because getting it here at the co-op is so convenient."
The Daily Groceries Co-op has been "centered in Athens culture" for over two decades, according to Theo Horne, Daily's Outreach and Marketing Coordinator. "Most of our customers stop in several times a week, and many folks we see every day," says Theo.
People buy into the co-op membership, Theo adds, because they're thinking about their value system. "It's putting your money directly in a place that cares about what you care about - the future of the community," says Theo.
From tabling at the West Broad Farmers' Market every week to bringing in local farmers to speak at in-store events, Daily Groceries aims to connect the Athens community with fresh, local produce. In recent years, Daily Groceries has also focused on making the co-op accessible to everyone who'd like to shop there.
Working with partners like Wholesome Wave Georgia, the co-op doubles dollars for EBT users buying local produce. The co-op also started The Daily Change program this past year, giving customers the option to round up their total at the register. Daily Change funds providing EBT users 10% off the entire store, with the remaining funds donated to the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia and an additional different nonprofit every month (ranging from Athens PRIDE to the Youth Leadership Conference through Georgia Cooperative Council)
"Athens is a service-oriented town - we try to make it viable for the folks who work downtown to come shop with us on their way home," says Theo.
As for Georgia Organics members attending the 2020 Conference in Athens, Theo encourages conference attendees to "interact with Daily Groceries how the folks in Athens interact with Daily". This includes stopping by for coffee, a snack, or, as Theo adds, "if you need a recommendation around town - because we have fantastic taste".
Theo admits that Daily Groceries is in a moment of change, but adds that the co-op is "always going to be about serving Athens and providing what the community needs in their daily life."
That's because, through the years, the co-op has remained close to the spirit of this special community. "Athens is a very special place because it lets you be who you are," says Theo. "That's true of the co-op as well - there's room for everyone here."
Corinne Kocher and Bailey Garrot are the writer-photographer team behind Shared Plates, a blog exploring food in the world and how it gets to the table. Read all of their work at www.shared-plates.com and follow them on Instagram @sharedplatesatl.